Are they eating the dirt?

[AnneGirlGG]

Slap a couple stickers on the side. That gives mine something to tap on instead of each other.

My OEGB does seem to peck the others some. Not overly aggressive, and there is no feathers or fluff being pulled. It's normally beak to beak, and just little taps, not all out aggressive pecking. I'm not sure if its a bully or just trying to get the early pecking order down? It's also the smallest one.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Let the heat plate warm up for about an hour first before placing it in and removing the heat lamp. You'll need to "train" them... meaning, stuff them under it so they get the point. The legs are also adjustable, so you can make the front a little bit taller than the back. Like I said, I keep mine a hair above back height. You'll know you've got the height right when they go under quietly. If they're distress peeping, it's too high. If they won't settle, it's too low.

Honestly, it's good to have both a heat lamp and plate. Lamp can be good for freshly shipped chicks that are chilled, but the heat plate is the way to go long term. Mine wean themselves off around 5 weeks.

Thank you so much for this! Seriously, you have helped me so much the last 2 days, and i truly appreciate you!

 

[thecatumbrella]

My OEGB does seem to peck the others some. Not overly aggressive, and there is no feathers or fluff being pulled. It's normally beak to beak, and just little taps, not all out aggressive pecking. I'm not sure if its a bully or just trying to get the early pecking order down? It's also the smallest one.

Some chicks are just really mouthy. One of mine was (is) really, really bad and needs something to fixate on. So we did stickers and plastic kids toys (like little cups or even a small plastic lid).

Thank you so much for this! Seriously, you have helped me so much the last 2 days, and i truly appreciate you!

You're too kind! I've only raised 3 batches of chicks, and every group brings something different. Feel free to message me if you have questions about the heat plate. I'm usually on here and there in the evening.

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Some chicks are just really mouthy. One of mine was (is) really, really bad and needs something to fixate on. So we did stickers and plastic kids toys (like little cups or even a small plastic lid).

You're too kind! I've only raised 3 batches of chicks, and every group brings something different. Feel free to message me if you have questions about the heat plate. I'm usually on here and there in the evening.

Thank you so much!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

Some chicks are just really mouthy. One of mine was (is) really, really bad and needs something to fixate on. So we did stickers and plastic kids toys (like little cups or even a small plastic lid).

You're too kind! I've only raised 3 batches of chicks, and every group brings something different. Feel free to message me if you have questions about the heat plate. I'm usually on here and there in the evening.

Okay, my husband is going to stop on his way home and get the brooder plate, so they'll have that later this evening.

No one is stressed and they all seem fine, but I'm not willing to take any risks.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I got a brooder plate recently that, even on low, is too hot to touch! It's not designed for the chicks to snuggle up to like a mama hen. I had to put it up at the top of its legs so it wouldn't burn the chicks, but then they snuggled up under it and were happy. So just be sure you understand what kind of heater you are getting, and test it before you put your babies under it.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I got a brooder plate recently that, even on low, is too hot to touch! It's not designed for the chicks to snuggle up to like a mama hen. I had to put it up at the top of its legs so it wouldn't burn the chicks, but then they snuggled up under it and were happy. So just be sure you understand what kind of heater you are getting, and test it before you put your babies under it.

I knew I forgot something. I have 4 heat plates, and all run at different temps. They're also influenced by the temperature of the room, to a small degree. This is part of why I always keep it a bit on the high side, but definitely put your hand directly on the heating element to judge. I've never had a chick burn itself, but I made sure there's clearance for when they snuggle down into the bedding. It's a bit fiddly, but worth the peace of mind!

 

[AnneGirlGG]

I got a brooder plate recently that, even on low, is too hot to touch! It's not designed for the chicks to snuggle up to like a mama hen. I had to put it up at the top of its legs so it wouldn't burn the chicks, but then they snuggled up under it and were happy. So just be sure you understand what kind of heater you are getting, and test it before you put your babies under it.

I definitely will, thank you. I've read good things about Brinsea Ecoglow, but I can't get that locally, only online. The one we will get is made by Producers Pride from TSC. Even if it isn't the best on the market, it's got to be safer for the chicks than the lamp we're using now, and I want to change their situation tonight, not in 3 days. They're still seemingly stress- free, and i want them to stay that way.

I'm hoping it'll do what we need it to do, and I'll make sure I read everything carefully and plug it in for a while and test it before I let the chicks near it.

 

[thecatumbrella]

I got a brooder plate recently that, even on low, is too hot to touch! It's not designed for the chicks to snuggle up to like a mama hen. I had to put it up at the top of its legs so it wouldn't burn the chicks, but then they snuggled up under it and were happy. So just be sure you understand what kind of heater you are getting, and test it before you put your babies under it.

Also, Blue, which brand do you have? We use RentACoops, but I had another brand at one point that was like a radiator! That was a return for me.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Producers Pride from TSC.

Do you have a link for this? All I can find is the wall-mounted one.